Hamden Free Summer Concert Series Set for August
Free Summer Concerts
Fridays August 13th, 20th, 27th
Town Center Park
2761 Dixwell Ave., Hamden 06518
203-287-7003
Facebook Event Invite Links:
Boogie Chillun
https://fb.me/e/1cX94bmAG
Rahsaan Langely
https://fb.me/e/10FqbbQsI
New London Big Band
https://fb.me/e/GAghD8Rb
The Hamden Arts Commission and Department of Arts and Culture are excited to announce the 2021 Hamden Free Summer Concert Series lineup.
The music and fun kicks off at Town Center Park on Friday August 13th with local Pop/Funk/ Rock band, Boogie Chillun. Boogie Chillun has been rockin' and funkin' the Connecticut music scene since 1991, performing at nightclubs, theaters, outdoor festivals, schools, parties, weddings, and other events throughout CT and the US Northeast. That's thirty years of good music satisfaction! Their musical repertoire consists of funk, rap, rock, classic soul, R&B, reggae, jazz, blues, Afro-folk, gospel, spirituals and disco.
Boogie Chillun has performed over 3500 concerts which include opening for major artists such as The Spinners, The Platters, WAR, Ziggy Marley, Vanilla Fudge, 98 Degrees, Sherry Winston and The Sugar Hill Gang. Boogie Chillun still performs at weddings, nightclubs, parties, and outdoor festivals throughout New England.
On Friday, August 20th, enjoy the smooth sounds of The Rahsaan Langley Project. Rahsaan, along with his five piece band, performs high-energy dance music reminiscent of the golden oldies mixed with today's hits for all ages to enjoy. Rahsaan's voice is refined, smooth, and has been said to soothe the soul. Having worked in the music industry for more than 20 years he has helped develop, create, and produce some of the most influential songs and artists in the last 25 years. He has toured with seasoned artists like the late great Gerald Levert, Mint Condition, and Uncle Charlie, and has aided with Big L’s success in going Gold.
Rahsaan worked for years as an in-house producer for Teddy Riley and also worked alongside/produced for Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, Joe Budden, Gerald Albright, Tony Toni Tone, 702, Misa(Japan), Teddy Pendergrass, Tony Terry, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Glenn Jones, Blackstreet, Wrecks N Effect, David Miller, Shomari, The Fugees, and LL Cool J. Rahsaan will have you up and swaying no matter what your musical taste is.
The final act in the series stars Connecticut favorite, Sean Nelson’s New London Big Band on Friday, August 27th. Led by trombonist and composer Sean Nelson, the New London Big Band is a 17-piece jazz orchestra made up of the finest musicians in New England. The band plays a mix of classic jazz standards, upbeat dance tunes, and original music by band members, and regularly features instrumental and vocal soloists. Formed in 2016, they play monthly to sold out crowds at the Social Bar + Kitchen in New London, where they attract professional and amateur dancers from near and far.
The band wants to show the world that big band jazz is a vibrant and joyful sound that is not just for “jazz aficionados.” The Day of New London calls them “a stellar outfit celebrating the greatness in exuberant fashion.” Thanks to their loyal fan base, the band won “Best Jazz Band” for CTNOW’s Best of Hartford.
All shows start at 8pm and will take place, with ample free parking, at the Hamden Town Center Park located at 2761 Dixwell Ave., Hamden 06518. In the event of inclement weather, shows (unless expressly stated) will be moved, with limited seating available, to either the Hamden Middle School Auditorium located at 2623 Dixwel Ave., Hamden 06518 or the Hamden High School Auditorium located 2040 Dixwell Ave., Hamden 06518 and will be ticketed as “first come, first serve”. Announcement of the move inside will be posted online by 12 o’clock noon on the day of the concert. The Hamden Community Emergency Response Team will be on hand at all shows providing transportation assistance to and from parking lots with reserved handicap parking available in the Miller Memorial Library Parking lot.
The Hamden Arts Commission has been bringing quality, affordable arts programming to not only Hamden residents but to visitors from surrounding towns, states and countries since 1988 and is made possible by the generous donations of our community sponsors. To become a sponsor and have your business’ name added to this list of community change makers, please contact Alisha Martindale at 203-287-7003 or email amartindale@hamden.com.
For more information on the Hamden Free Summer Concert Series or other arts events and opportunities happening in the Town of Hamden, please contact Alisha Martindale at the Hamden Department of Arts and Culture at 203-287-7003 or email amartindale@hamden.com.